In addition to being a world-renowned glassmaking school, The Studio is also committed to building relationships with other organizations to offer community-centered programs. Through these special programs, we support the needs of many unique populations.

High School Learning Center

The High School Learning Center (HSLC) at Corning Community College offers an alternative learning environment for students to complete their high school degrees outside the traditional classroom. The Studio partners with HSLC to provide hands-on glassmaking classes during 10-day workshops in the fall and spring. Available to students 16–19 who meet specific program requirements, the classes cover glassblowing and flameworking. Gathering, shaping and manipulating the glass are covered as well as how to make basic shapes and products. In addition to learning glassmaking skills, student also gain valuable life skills, including teamwork, communication, and how to accept and rebound from failure.

Road Scholars

The Road Scholars program offers life-long learners the opportunity to explore new subjects and develop new talents nationally. Four times a year, a group of Road Scholars from across the United States visits The Studio to engage in a four-day immersive glassmaking workshop. During the class, learn basic skills in glassblowing, flameworking, kiln casting, and sandblasting. All areas of glassworking provide programs that cover the basics yet still provide a challenge for participants who may have had some previous experience. Scholars also have time to explore the Museum and the surrounding area, giving them a full Corning experience!

Beads of Courage

Beadmakers from across the country unite to create art for a great cause. Beads of Courage is an organization that brings artists together to create flameworked beads and miniature sculptures to donate to hospitals nationwide. The beads are distributed to children in pediatric wards to mark milestones in their treatment for chronic and severe illnesses. The Studio invites artists to use the state-of-the-art facility to make their contributions and also collects bead donations to contribute to the cause.

Veterans Glassblowing

In honor of Veterans' Day, The Studio joins glassmaking schools across the country to offer veterans the opportunity to experience glassblowing first-hand during a free workshop. This program was launched in 2013 by the glassmaking community as a way “to provide United States veterans and active service members with a free opportunity to try the craft of glassblowing, with the intentions of developing a marketable skill, building joy through artistic expression, and creating community through an annual national event.” At The Studio, veterans participate in one-hour introduction to glassblowing lessons, working one-on-one with The Studio’s glassmaking instructors.

Expanding Horizons

A week-long program at The Corning Museum of Glass for the top students in at-risk glass art programs around the United States. The outreach program includes airfare, lodgings, and meals for the duration. The itinerary blends instruction, touring the collections with curators, a visit to the Rakow Research Library, a meeting with a prominent collector, a discussion about preparing an artist's portfolio, and a presentation on applying to college with a focus on glassblowing.

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Hector Maldonado working in TheStudio as part of the 2015 ExpandingHorizons class.(Photo by Allison Duncan)
“Glass helped me become who I am today.” Hector Maldonado made this announcement during a panel discussion on at-risk youth at the Glass Art Society conference this past June here in Corning... more

In February, The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass once again hosted a beadmaking marathon to benefit an organization called Beads of Courage that helps children with serious illnesses mark milestones in their treatment through the use of beads.
A sampling of beads made during the beadmaking... more

The Studio recently hosted more than thirty beadmaking experts who volunteered their time to create beads for a very special cause. Tiny sculptural works of art were made for the organization Beads of Courage. Our hardworking and creative volunteers used their time to make special creations to be... more